LBTTEE  FEOM 


Orqomiait,  Geog  Tapa,  } 

Nisan  [April]  of  the  English,  9,  1861.  ), 

Dear  Parents  in  Christ,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perkins,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wright, 

AND  Miss  Fisk  : 

I have  a great  matter  of  joy  to  write  to  yon,  but  excuse  me  for  writing  one  letter 
to  you  all  five.  I wished  to  write  each  one  of  you  separately,  but  on*account  of  the 
weakness  of  my  eyes,  and  on  account  of  the  work  of  God  in  my  village,  and  visiting 
the  families  from  house  to  house,  to  converse  and  pray  with  them  (and  I also  seek  out  ; 
all  who  do  not  come  to  church  on  the  Sabbath,  and  take  down  their  names) ; thus  I 
am  so  busy,  through  God’s  grace,  that  it  was  impossible  that  I should  be  able  to  write  . 
to  you  individually.  I am  also  copying  a lexicon  for  Mr.  Labaree,  and,  therefore,  I j 
hope  you  will  be  pleased  to  excuse  me,  all  five  of  you.  ^ ' 

On  Sabbath  day,  the  last  Sabbath  of  the  English  March,  in  the  afternoon,  priest  , 
Yohannan  (John)  was  preaching,  in  his  turn,  about  the  monthly  collection,  (which  ; 
was  becoming  very  small,)  that  it  was  a shame ; and  how  much  better  it  would  be  to  i 
take  up  more  than  they  had  been  accustomed  to  do ; that,  if  it  were  possible,  there 
should  be  a double  collection,  that  a preacher  might  be  sent  to  the  mountains  to  preach 
the’ blessed  gospel  to  that  part  of  our  poor  people.  Suddenly,  there  were  whisperings,  ; 
a little  on  this  side,  and  a little  on  that  side.  Priest  Yohannan  desired  them  to  keep  ! 
still,  that  there  should  not  be  whispering.  But  God  was  working  in  the  hearts  of  the  , 
great  and  the  small  assembled  in  the  church.  Suddenly,  one  exclaimed,  “I  will  give  i 
one  tomon  ” [$2.25] ; another,  “ I will  give  a tomon  and  a half ; ” another,  “ I will  give 
half  a tomon  ; ” another,  “ Twenty-five  cents;  ” another,  “ Three  tomons ; ” another, 

“ Four  tomons;”  one,  “A  load  of  wheat,”  or,  “ Half  a load  of  wheat,”  or,  “ One  meas- 
ure,” or  “ Three  measures.”  Others  promised  four  half  bushels  of  raisins,  or  eight,  , 
or  one,  or  three.  The  women  also.  One  of  them  gave  a monet  (a  Bussian  dollar)  ; 
another  three  quarters  of  a dollar ; another,  one  quarter ; another,  two  quarters,  or 
one  quarter.  And  others  their  embroidered  headdresses.  And  others,  their  jewels, 
and  their  rings  and  trappings.  And  others,  one  tenth  of  the  products  of  their  vine- 
yards, or  of  the  products  of  their  clover  fields ; and  others,  one  fourth  of  their  har- 
vest, or  one  fifth,  or  one  sixth ; or,  one  half  of  the  raisins  they  now  had  in  their  houses. 

Another  woman  gave  four  pounds  of  butter,  from  a poor  cow  she  had.  And  one 
poor  man,  who  with  difficulty  finds  millet  for  the  necessity  of  his  family,  who  was  there 
on  that  Sabbath,  said,  “ I have  a new  mat  which  I have  worked  myself ; I will  give  it.” 
On  Monday  he  took  it  on  his  shoulder,  and  brought  it,  and  committed  it  to  me.  Another, 
who  had  come  to  meeting  on  the  same  Sabbath,  gave  the  fruit  of  fifteen  ridges  of  his 
vineyard;  and  another,  one  tope  [12|-  English  yards]  of  cotton  cloth.  And  so  they 
went  on  giving  in  these  various  ways,  that  in  the  coming  autumn,  when  their  fruits  are 
turned  out,  they  may  fulfil  their  vows.  And  some  of  them  (those  who  have  the 
means  on  hand)  now  give  what  they  pledged.  A lay  brother  who  is  very  poor,  who 
even  in  these  days  was  asking  something  from  the  brethren  for  the  necessities  of  his 
family,  or  a certificate  of  his  need,  to  have  on  hand,  that  he  might  go  to  brethren  of 
other  villages  and  beg  something,  was  so  much  afiected  that  he  pledged  two  shillings 
with  good-will  and  joy  of  heart. 

Many  of  the  brethren  spoke,  stirring  up  and  inciting  those  who  were  in  the  church. 
Mill?  Eli^s.  a bishon  80  years  old,  snoke : also,  priest  Yohannan,  the  elder,  priest  Yo^ 


LETTEE  FEOM  DEA.  MOSES 


,’kukixs,  Dr.  axd  Mrs.  AVrigiit. 


Ml; 


I have  a preat  matter  of  joy  to  write  to  yon,  Imt  excuse  me  for  writing  one  letter 
to  you  all  five.  I wished  to  write  each  one  of  you  sejiaratcly,  hut  on-aecount  of  the 
weakness  of  my  eyes,  and  on  account  of  the  work  of  tiod  in  my  village,  and  visiting 
the  families  from  house  to  hon.se,  to  converse  and  ]>ray  with  them  (and  I also  seek  out  j»'ought 
all  who  do  not  come  to  chundi  on  the  Sabbath,  and  take  down  their  names);  thus  I ' 

am  so  busy,  through  God’s  grace,  that  it  was  imjiossible  that  I .should  be  able  to  write 
to  you  individually.  I am  also  ooiiying  a lexicon  for  Jlr.  Labaree,  and,  therefore,  I 
hojie  you  will  be  pleased  to  excuse  me,  all  five  of  you. 

On  .Sabb.ath  day,  the  last  Sabbath  of  the  Knglish  Jl.arch,  in  the  afternoon,  priest 
A'ohannan  (.lohn)  was  preaching,  in  his  turn,  about  the  monthly  collection,  (which 
was  becoming  very  small,)  that  it  was  a shame ; and  how  much  better  it  would  be  to 
take  up  more  than  they  had  been  aecustomeil  to  do ; that,  if  it  were  pos.sible,  there 
.should  be  a double  collection,  that  a preacher  might  be  sent  to  the  mountains  to  preach 
the' blessed  gospel  to  th, at  part  of  our  poor  people.  Suddenly,  there  were  whisperings, 
a little  on  this  side,  anil  a little  on  that  side.  Priest  A'ohannan  desired  them  to  keep 
.still,  that  there  should  not  be  whispering.  But  God  was  working  in  the  hear.s  of  the 
great  and  the  small  assembled  in  the  church.  Suddenly,  one  exclaimed,  “ I will  give 
one  tomon  " [S2.2.’>] ; another,  “ I will  give  a tomon  and  a half ; ” another,  “ I will  give 
lualf  a tomon  ; ” another,  “ Twenty-five  cents;”  another,  “Three  tomons .another, 

“ Four  tomons;”  one,  “A  load  of  wheat,”  or,  “ Half  a load  of  wheat,”  or,  “ One  meas- 
ure,” or  “ Three  measures.”  Others  jn'omised  four  half  bushels  of  raisins,  or  eiuht. 


ishable  pe.arls  of  this  empty  worhl.  And  all  their  heavy  burdens  of  debt  were  lighter 
than  a ipnil  oi-  the  leather  of  a flying  bird  ; and  all  their  circumstances  of  trial  and 
annoyance  were  turned  to  rest  and  ease  ; and  oppressions  and  extortions  were  cast 
aside  before  the  blessed  feet  of  .Tehovah.  in  the  name  of  his  Son  Emanuel.  AA'hv  not  ? 
Shall  It  not  be  said,  “ Come  ye  peo])le  ! mine  ye  nations  ! together  let  us  prai'se  the 
Lord  ; for  the  Lord  (iod  is  to  K'  exalted  and  honored  and  magnified  from  everlastiim 


to  everlastii 

In  the  evening,  at  meeting-time,  the  men  and  the  women  assembled.  Some  of  them 
their  hands  embroidered  head-garments  and  ornaments.  One  of  them 
brought  a silvered  border  (the  kind  which  is  sewed  on  the  garments  of  the  females  for 
the  bosom),  its  price  being  a tomon.  or  perhaps  more.  Others,  who  were  not  at  ineet- 
ioir  b>  the  church,  came  in  the  evening  with  ledges  in  their  mouths,  one  saving,  “ I 
1 tomon,”  etc.;  and  another,  while  in  his  house,  had  said,  I will  o-i(e  a load 
(five  bushels)  from  my  own  threshing-fioor,  as  soon  as  the  harvest  is  out.” 
' met  him  I wrote  him  down  for  the  load  of  wheat.  Said  I.  “ It  is  obliga- 
neck.]  “ 'V  es,”  he  cheerlully  answered,  “ ves,  of  course.”  On  that 


oflfe 

Anil  when 
tovy  ” [on  yc 


It  was  a very  ileli^htfnl  time.  Sleep  ilepart- 
joy  and  tlianksgiviii"  to  tlje  Lord,  for  tlie  ^reat  work 
when  we  were  not  looking  for  all  these  thinprs  that 


one,  or  three.  The  women  also.  One  of  them  gave  a monct  (a  Russian  dollar)  ; Yonan  ; also  otlier  brethren  from  our  village,  and  those  wlio  preach 


conducted  the  nn 
eyes  that  night,  from 
he  has  done  in  tlie  midst  of  us, 
have  come  to  pass. 

_ On  the  first  Jlonday  of  the  month  of  Nisan  (April),  in  the  morning,  we  went  to  the 
city  to  meeting.  I\Iany  of  the  teachers  and  lircthren  and  friends  were  assembled  as 
usual  (at  monthly  concert),  and  many  of  them  inquired  about  the  work  which  God 
done  in  Geog  Tapa,  and  they  marvelled  and  also  rejoiced.  The  bell  rung  in  the- 
the  Jjirge  Hiapel.  Mr.  Coan  conducted  the  meeting,  and 
uncle,  spoke  ; .afterwards  I spoke  ; 


afternoon,  and  we  wc 
afterward  invited  us  to  speak. 


[*riest  Yohannan, 


another  three  quarters  of  adolbar;  another,  one  quarter:  another,  two  quarters, 
one  quarter.  And  others  their  embroidered  headdresses.  And  others,  their  jewels, 
and  their  rings  and  trappings.  And  others,  one  tenth  of  the  products  of  their  vine- 
yards, or  of  the  products  of  their  clover  fields;  and  others,  one  fourth  of  their  har- 
vest, or  one  fifth,  or  one  sixth ; or,  one  half  of  the  raisins  they  now  had  in  their  houses. 

Another  woman  gave  four  pounds  of  butter,  from  a poor  cow  she  had.  And  one 
])00r  man,  who  with  difficulty  finds  millet  tor  the  necessity  of  his  family,  who  was  there 
on  that  Sabbath,  said,  “ I have  a new  mat  whiidi  I have  worked  myself;  1 will  give  it.” 
On  Monday  he  took  it  on  his  shoulder,  and  brought  it,  and  committed  it  to  me.  Another, 
wdio  had  come  to  meeting  on  the  same  Siibbath,  gave  the  fruit  of  fifteen  ridges  of  his 
vineyard;  and  another,  one  tope  [12 j English  yards]  of  cotton  cloth.  And  so  they 
went  on  giving  in  these  various  w.ays,  that  in  the  coming  autumn,  when  their  fruits  are 
turned  out,  they  may  fulfil  their  vows.  And  some  of  them  (those  who  have  the 
means  on  hand)  now  give  what  they  pledged.  A lay  brother  who  is  very  poor,  who 
even  in  these  d.ays  w,as  asking  something  from  the  brethren  for  the  necessities  of  his 
family,  or  a cei-tificate  of  his  need,  to  have  on  hand,  that  he  might  go  to  brethren  of 
other  vill.ages  and  beg  something,  was  so  much  affected  that  he  pledged  two  shillings 
with  good-will  and  joy  of  heart. 

Many  of  the  brethren  spoke,  stirring  up  and  inciting  those  who  were  in  the  church. 
andi  " “ ' ■ 


PfcmuanTtlie  younger,  Yonan,  anti  others.  Be 
There  were  still  men  and  women  making  pledgi 


n the  speeches  there  were  ])r.ayers.l 
and  others  that  made  [dedges  a 

second  time. 

I will  here  write  for  you  some  of  the  words  that  were  spoken  by  a few  of  them ; for 
I cannot  write  all ; a great  deal  of  time  would  be  required.  But  I will  write  these, 
which  will  suffice  as  a specimen.  One  brother  of  the  Sabbath  school  arose  on  his  feet, 
and  jrletlged  a monet  (Russian  dollar)  added  to  the  two  (he  had  given)  on  his  own  ac- 
count, in  behalf  of  his  two  little  sons,  whom  he  had  asked  of  the  Lord,  which  made 
three  dollars.  And,  .again,  after  his  mother  had  ])ledgcd  an  embroidered  garment  for 
the  face,  he  rose  and  said,  “ My  mother,  don’t  be  .afraid  ; pledge  more,  it  is  for  the  Lord. 
Remember  Mary,  who  poured  out  the  very  precious  ointment  upon  the  head  of  our 
Saviour,”  &c. 

Another  brother  rose  and  said,  “ Two  men  were  discu.ssing  together  about  the  ex- 


pense I 


; undertaking,  the  building  of  a church  in  .lerusalem.  or  something,  I do 


other  villages.  Here  also  the  glorious  finger  of  the  Creator  wroimlit 
^ondeT'ful  works.  (Rmbrfimtnvtl  garments' of  the  women ‘anil  tffeir  ornamenfs,' etc. 
[those  given  at  Gcog  Tapa]  were  e.xhibited  to  the  whole  assembly  by  John.)  Plodn-ers 
began  to  pledge  money  and  tilings.  The  same  brethren  from  our  village,  who  labor  in 
other  villages,  inerjased  and  increased ; also  other  brethren  from  the  villages  of  the  coun- 
try; also  of  the  laymen  who  were  there.  Here  also,  amid  their  pledges  to  inve,  there  were 
addresses  and  prayers.  And  the  amount  of  giving  was  after  the  manner  I have  de- 
scribed in  our  village  ; but  many  others  pledged  more.  One  who  at  first  pledged  fifteen 
tomons,  again  promised  all  the  fruit  of  one  of  his  vineyards.  And  aRer  a fe"w  minutes 
he  rose  and  said : “ The  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Sjiirif,  the  three  are  oue  God. 
The  fifteen  tomons  to  the  Father;  the  fruit  of  the  vineyard  to  the  Son;  and  a load  of 
flour  to  the  Holy  Spirit.”  And  others,  from  four  tomons  to  five,  and  even  up  to  ei^ht, 
each  one.  And  other.s  one  tenth  of  all  their  produce,  one  fourth,  one  fifth,  one  sixth, 
and  so  on.  And  one  of  the  Nestorians  first  jiledged  a watch,  and  afterwards  thirty  to- 
mons, so  that  it  should  be  as  the  price  of  a robe  for  the  bride  (the  church  of  Christ). 

I cannot  describe  or  write  the  pleasant  and  jovful  speeches,  or  about  the  joy  of 
the  dear  missionaries  who  were  there.  Roth  the  gentlemen  and  the  ladies  partici- 

Ldving,  wit> * ” ^ i . 

tour  hours.  Oh,  what 
also  < 


I gicrtt  juy. 

L delightful  til 


The  girls  of  the  Female  Seminary 


(piite  remember  about  what.  Oue  of  them  said,  ‘ 1 will  give  two  hundred  tomons. 
The  other  said,  ‘ I,  also,  will  give  two  hundred  tomons.’  Then  the  first  one  increasc<l,, 
and  the  other  in  like  manner.  The  first  one  went  up  to  five  hundred  tomons,  and  al- 
together it  became  a thousand  tomons.”  So  he  talked  to  incite  the  Christians,  saying 
that  their  givings  are  not  for  a worldly  object,  like  that  of  tho.se  men,  but  it  is  for  the 
Lord,  and  the  setting  up  of  his  kingdom  and  his  gospel  in  our  village,  and  among  our 
poor  people,  &c. 

Another  brother  (one  who  had  not  been  able  to  sjieak  in  church  from  his  bashful- 
ness) rose  and  said:  “My  brethren,  1 have  a word.  Our  father  Abraham  aud  his 
wife  Sarah  were  aged.  In  their  old  age  God  gave  to  them  one  only  son  ; but  again, 
God  demanded  of  Abraham  that  he  should  slay  him  for  a sacrifice ; and  he  listened, 
aud  did  as  God  willed.  But  the  same  Abraham  was  mindful  of  the  covenant  of  God,  that 
his  seed  should  be  as  the  stars  in  the  heavens  and  as  the  sand  on  the  seashore.  So  he  be- 
lieved, and  so  he  received.  We  also,  my  brethren,  though  we  are  very  poor,  and 
arc  under  the  burden  of  the  oppression  and  extortion  of  the  Mohammedans,  yet  let 
us  give  bravely  of  our  poverty,  and  we  shall  receive  of  the  Lord  accordin*T  to  ouri 
faith,  &c.”  : 

My  brother  George  got  up  and  said  : “Ye  women  ! When  Moses  was  building  the  tab-' 
ernacle,  he  asked  of  the  Israelites  the  expenditures,  and  they  brought  them.  The  womenj 
also  engaged  zealously  in  the  matter,  and  brought  the  brass  on  the  backs  of  their  mirrors, 
etc.  If  you  will  make  your  garments  a little  narrower,  or  diminish  the  tinsel  bottoms,! 
it  will  be  very  easy  for  you  to  give  for  the  Lord,"  &c.  After  a little  time  he  spake  again  : 
“ Wake  up ! Behold  the  musicians  are  giving  for  the  Lord  ! On  their  wealth  (their,, 
drums  and  their  pipes)  is  written,  “ Holiness  to  the  Lord!”  Here  was  brought  to  I 
embrance  a serinou  of  Mr.  Perkins,  which  he  preached  in  our  village  to  the  Sab- 


am,  in  Tf^^veI?mg^f^n3r^^???!^rtl^'6f^'Iig.  Mf ."  A^IlbVosc  COnui\ctea’Tf;‘ — fWf? 
were  manv  prayers  and  addresses.  On  Tuesday,  the  2d  of  April,  our  Father  in 
heaven  caused  to  fall  rain  and  snow  ; we  could  not  scatter ; many  of  the  brethren 
remained  in  the  city,  and  those  other  toachens,  from  the  district  of  Barandooz,  came 
down  from  Seir,  and  lieard  these  tidings.  They  marvelled  and  rejoiced.  In  the 
evening,  again,  there  was  a meeting.  Mr.  Ambrose  again  conducted  it.  There  were 
many'  prayers  and  addresses,  and  those  brethren  from  Barandooz  now'  made  pledges 
in  great  love  and  promptness  : and  many  othci*s,  for  a second  and  third  time,  made 
pledges.  There  is  one,  w'ho  is  a joiner,  who  jiromised  to  give  one  month  of  joiner 
work.  On  Wednesday,  the  3d  of  Nisan,  the  missionaries  from  Seir  came  down,  verj' 
joyful.  Mr.  Cochran  met  some  of  them,  and  said,  “ Your  faces  are  very  happy’,”  &c. 
So  w'as  his. 

On  the  Sabbath,  the  7th  of  April,  our  Sabbath-school  assemblage  was  very  large, 
and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same.  I j>reached,  in  my  turn,  from  these  words  : “ Set 
your  affections  on  things  above.”  Col.  iii.  2.  Again,  men  and  women  pledged  to 
give  something  for  the  Lord.  IMalek  Aga  Bey  pledged,  as  a second  ofl'ering,  half  the 
raisins  he  now  has  in  his  house.  In  the  evening  many'  came  to  meeting.  This,  also, 
was  a very  delightful  day. 

On  the  8tli  of  April,  1 heard,  in  the  seminary  in  the  city,  that  there  were  collec- 
~tions  there  again  oirSundny,  the  f th  of  April.  Mar  Yohannan  pledged  thirty  tomons. 
In  the  village  of  Vazerova,  also,  about  twenty  tomons  were  collected,  as  I under- 
stood, and  the  people  of  Dcgala  have  made  pledges  of  a collection  ; also,  the  people 
of  Charbash,  on  the  4th  of  April,  were  very  eager  to  make  pledges ; but  I have  not 
heard  since  whether  collections  w’cre  niaile  tlicrc  on  the  7th  of  Nisan  or  not. 

Y’esterday,  priest  Abraham  came  from  Ardishai.  He  says  there  had  been  a collec- 
tion there  of  thirteen  tomons,  from  the  readers  there,  and  lie  says  there  are  many 
others  still,  who  will  give.  Also  the  peo]>Ie  of  Takky  will  make  collections  on  the 
coming  Sabbaths. 

My  dear  friends,  the  Lord  does  not  permit  that  j^’our  toils  and  pains  here  shall  be  in 
vain;  and  the  toils  and  pains  of  the  missionaries  now  here.  He  has  heard  the 
prayers  of  your  missionaries,  and  of  all  the  Christians  tliere  in  America,  and  of  us 
also,  poor,  weak  Nestorians.  The  Lord  magnifies  his  work,  and  advances  it  here 
more  and  more,  and  in  all  tlie  eastern  countries,  and  throughout  the  world. 

My'  dear  fathers,  — Mr.  Perkins  and  Dr.  Wright,  — excuse  me  that  I have  not 
written  to  you  till  now.  I cannot  forget  you,  nor  your  good  that  you  have  done  for 
me  from  the  days  of  my  childhood  till  the  last.  Peace  to  you,  dear  friends. 

I trust  you  will  greatly  rejoice,  in  view  of  the.^ic  wonders  which  God  is  doing 
among  our  people,  and  that  you  will  not  weary'.  Perhaps  other  brethren  will  also 
write  to  you  these  pleasant  tidings.  I had  never  rejoiced  so  much  as  I rejoice  in 


bath  schools.  “In  that  day  holiness  to  the  Lord  shall  be  written  on  the  bells  of  their'  these  delightful  days,  the  like  of  which  I liavc  never  seen.  All  is  from  the  Lord, 

horses,”  &c.  (because  those  volunteers,  the  owners  of  the  camels,  wlro  were  going  toj  Let  millions  praise  him.  I pray  that  this  matter  of  giving  may  still  iuerease  and 

carry  raisins  which  I had  bought  to  Erivan,  were  detained  on  the  .Sabbath  day,  and|  advance. 

not  allowed  to  start  when  they  were  all  ready  to  put  on  their  loads).  Perhaps  youi  My  family,  and  all  the  people  of  my  house  join  me  in  much  love  to  you  and  your 

will  remember  it,  my  dear  Mr.  Perkins.  M chiMrcn.  We  are  much  pleased  with  the  new  missionaries.  They  are  very  pleasant. 

To  sum  up,  there  were  many  addresses  ; they  remained  long  in  the  church,  perhapJ  We  thank  them  and  those  wlio  sent  tliem. 
more  than  three  hours,  when  we  went  out,  and  saw  all  the  faces  of  the  men  and  The  amount  of  collections  in  our  village  is  about  seventy  tomons,  — perhaps  more, 
women  changed  to  joy  and  gladness,  and  their  color  and  countenance  like  roses  and-l  besides  the  tithes  of  the  produce,  and  the  ornaments,  and  the  garments,  &c.  But  the 

open  blossoms ; the  depth  of  their  poverty  and  low  estate  seemed  like  a pleasant  val-i  amount  of  the  collections  in  the  city  I do  not  well  know.  I think  it  maybe  300 

ley  of  flowers,  and  full  of  fatness  and  spiritual  enjoyment,  and  in  the  midst  thereof  all  tomons  or  more,  besides  the  seminaries,  &e. 

l>reciou8  hid  treasures  laid  open,  more  precious  than  gold  and  silver  and  all  the  per-  Your  loving  friend,  MOSES. 

rofDoacon  Moses  (which  he  has  hnd  liieDiiidness  to  translate),  to  the  end  that  others  may  share  with  him  the  joy  afforded  by  its  simple  story, 
debf  ^ do  in  Tersia,  that  the  same  “ grace  of  God  ’’bestowed  upon  our  churches,  would  keep  the  Board  from 


* Dr.  Perkins  has  sent  to  the  5Iis.‘!ionarv  lloiifi 
It  may  possibly  occur  to  Christians  in  the  United 
the  pomsihility  of  closing  the  jireseut  tinuncial  ye* 


‘^551  t’L 


